A tough week for Canadians, from sea to sea

This week has been a tough one for many people and many families. From sea to sea, to sea few Canadians have not felt the impact of the deadly crash near Tisdale, Saskatchewan on April 6.
To say it was horrific, tragic, or severe just doesn’t seem like words that are impactful or descriptive enough. I have spent much of my life playing sports. We were big into baseball when I was younger, travelling all over North America to play. Team travelling was always a highlight, sharing laughs with your friends, making fun of each other, celebrating the wins and sharing in defeat. It helped shaped my character, my competiveness for life, my drive to succeed and the realization of how important it is to share successes with those around you.
Now as a parent, sports are a huge part of the Warman household. Hockey defines six months of our life. With a boy and a girl who are passionate about the sport, I have a new appreciation for canteen food, toques and winter tires. We spend a lot of time on the road, often travelling in different directions. As a hockey parent, its more than a sport. It’s a lifestyle we have chosen as a family. There are days it drives us crazy and we wish we had more freedom, but when a team comes together, plays a season well, and wins a tournament, we recognize there are some amazing memories being made.
Even more rewarding as a father, is having the ability to coach. It is truly a learning curve of its own. It has taught me to be more prepared, more energetic, more understanding and more patient. Watching children develop into better hockey players is a great experience, but watching them turn into better human beings….. well that’s truly great medicine for the soul.
It has been outstanding to see the emotional and financial support not only pouring out of Canadians, but people throughout the world. It makes me proud to be Canadian.
This week more locally I see hockey sticks out in front of doorways, lots of jerseys being worn, tonnes of posts on social media, and a stampede of edible support at our local Tim Horton’s. It is great to see how many people are doing their best to show support not only locally to the Lukan family but to the entire Humboldt Broncos Team.
As I reflect on the tragedy, it is easy to imagine this happening on one of my children’s bus trips this past winter. To say my heart hurts for these families is an understatement. I cannot imagine what these families are going through, and very selfishly….. I hope I never do.
To the Lukan and Emes families who have lost so much so recently, I offer my deepest condolences. I don’t believe there is anything I can say that would offer any help in dealing with your grief, but I will try.
Please know an entire community mourns with you and to the Humboldt Broncos, an entire nation. Our community is here to offer support in the coming days, weeks and years.
The world will suffer from the loss of so many extraordinary men and women.